California’s Quintessential Cuisine Shines with California Avocados

IRVINE, Calif.--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Springtime in California brings all the things Californians love – sun,
surf and California avocados, in season from late spring through summer.
For the 2017 season, the California Avocado Commission (CAC) recruited
rising local chefs to create new recipes that fuse the state’s official
fruit into classic regional dishes, from San Diego’s fish tacos with
locally caught fish to San Francisco’s well-known sourdough bread, to
celebrate the best of California.

No dish is more synonymous with San Diego than the fish taco. With a
strong local fish supply, endless varieties of fish tacos abound. Chef
Christine Rivera of San Diego’s highly acclaimed Galaxy Tacos was
inspired by California’s culturally-diverse cuisine to create her
Grilled Al Pastor Yellowtail Taco with Pineapple-Jalapeño Salsa & Lime
Marinated California Avocados.

“I’m passionate about celebrating the fresh produce of California,
especially California avocados,” says Rivera. “My dream fish taco is one
that’s bursting with flavor, and my Al Pastor Yellowtail Taco with
California Avocados fits the bill. I like the balance between the heat
from the savory spices mellowed by the cool, creamy California avocados.”

At Galaxy Tacos’ older sibling restaurant – the iconic George’s at the
Cove – Chef Jonathan Bautista has made waves in San Diego’s dining
scene, spotlighting local, sustainable produce. His Grilled Tuna Taco
with California Avocado Tzatziki pays homage to California’s love for
Mediterranean cuisine, using the best of the state’s local ingredients.

“I love using seasonal produce in our menus, so when California avocados
are in season, they’re in almost everything,” says Bautista. “I wanted
to elevate the fish taco and make a dish that married the best of
California’s land and sea – locally caught yellowfin tuna and premium
California avocados.”

Up north in San Francisco, locals love their sourdough bread. At Tartine
Manufactory, Chef Sam Goinsalvos has won hearts over with his rustic,
yet elegant menus. His Smashed California Avocado Tartine with Charred
Green Garlic and Roasted Poblano reflects his culinary sensibilities in
this beloved California dish.

“San Francisco’s sourdough bread and California’s avocados are the
perfect combination,” says Goinsalvos. “Smashed avocado toast is an easy
crowd-pleaser because it is so simple, yet allows for so much
creativity. Mine combines the best of California for a unique, local
taste.”

All three recipes highlight the endless versatility of California
avocados and bring together the bounty of California’s locally produced
food. Not only are they delicious, California avocados are a
heart-healthy superfood and are naturally sodium, sugar and cholesterol
free. One-third of a medium avocado (50 g) has 80 calories, provides a
good source of dietary fiber and contributes nearly 20 vitamins and
minerals, making it a nutrient-rich choice for any diet.

California avocado lovers everywhere can get these seasonal recipes and
more at CaliforniaAvocado.com/recipes,
and follow along on Facebook at Facebook.com/CaliforniaAvocados, and on
Twitter and Instagram at @ca_avocados.

In a medium bowl, rub the fish gently with the remaining mix until
fully submerged. You want the fish to be bright red and covered in
paste. Let it sit for a minimum of two hours in the fridge covered
with plastic film.

Pre heat a grill at 400°F. The key is to make sure the surface is nice
and hot to develop a light char on the fish. Wood fire grill or over
charcoal is highly recommended. If you do not have access to those two
types of grills, a propane grill or hot skillet works fine as well.

Season the marinated fish lightly with salt to taste. Place on grill
to lightly char and cook, about 2-3 minutes per side to desired
doneness.

While you are cooking the fish, heat the tortillas on a separate
skillet or the same cooking surface you are cooking fish on.

Broil diced pineapple for 10 minutes, or until slightly charred in a
500°F oven and set aside to cool. Reserve.

In a small bowl, dice avocado into ¼ inch pieces. Dress in lime juice
and add salt to taste. Reserve.

Place the grilled fish in the center of the tortilla, spread the
jalapeño pineapple salsa and reserved marinade on top of the fish. Top
with charred pineapple and diced lime-marinated California avocado.
Garnish with the thinly sliced onions and chopped cilantro and serve
with a wedge of fresh cut lime.

Pineapple-Jalapeño Salsa

Ingredients

1 pineapple, peeled, de-cored and cut in a large dice

3 green jalapeños, stemmed and seeded, if desired

Salt, to taste

1 Tbsp. olive oil

Instructions

Roast the jalapeños and pineapple in the oven for 15 minutes on 350
degrees.

After roasting, place in blender and puree until smooth adding oil and
salt.

*You may substitute the yellow tail with an oily white fish, salmon or
fresh tuna if not available in your local fish market.

When you’re ready to serve and eat, heat flour tortillas on the same
surface that the tuna was cooked on. The tortillas are best when
served warm.

Place one log of tuna in center of each tortilla. Top with California
Avocado Tzatziki, marinated tomato mixture, 3 dill springs, 3 mint
leaves and 2 slices avocado.

California Avocado Tzatziki

Ingredients

2 cups plain yogurt

1 1/2 tsp. tahini paste

1 1/2 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

1/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp. black pepper

1/4 cup diced cucumber, 1/4 inch

1/4 cup diced, ripe, fresh California avocado, 1/4 inch

1/4 cup fork smashed, ripe, fresh California Avocado

1 1/2 tsp. grated lemon peel

Instructions:

In a small bowl, mix all ingredients until combined thoroughly.
Refrigerate.

Smashed Avocado Tartine with Charred Green
Garlic & Roasted Poblano

Recipe created by Chef Sam Goinsalvos of Tartine
Manufactory for the California Avocado Commission.

Serves: 4

Prep Time: 5 min

Cook Time: 20 min

Total Time: 25 min

Ingredients:

1 poblano pepper

4 thumb-size stalks green garlic

2 tsp. oil

2 ripe, fresh California avocados, seeded, peeled and diced

2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice

1/8 tsp. salt, or to taste

4 slices sourdough bread, or rustic rye

4 Tbsp. crushed corn nuts (quicos)

Instructions:

For the poblano pepper, preheat the oven to 425°F and roast for 10
minutes or until the skin begins to blister. Remove from the oven,
place in a bowl, and cover to let steam for 10 minutes. Once cool
enough to handle, peel the skin off and dice the pepper. Set aside 1
tablespoon of the pepper for each serving.

Meanwhile, to char the green garlic, lightly oil the stalks and cook
in a cast iron pan over medium heat. Put a weight on the garlic or
press down with a spatula until lightly charred and tender. Mince
charred garlic and set aside 1 tablespoon of the garlic for each
serving.

In a bowl, mix together the green garlic, poblano, avocado, lime
juice, and salt, then pile on top of the bread. Sprinkle with quicos
(corn nuts) before serving.

**Large avocados are recommended for these recipes. A large avocado
averages about 8 ounces. If using smaller or larger size avocados adjust
the quantity accordingly.

About the California Avocado Commission

Created in 1978, the California Avocado Commission strives to increase
demand for California avocados through advertising, promotion and public
relations, and engages in related industry activities that benefit the
state’s nearly 4,000 avocado growers. The California Avocado Commission
serves as the official information source for California avocados and
the California avocado industry. For nutrition information and recipes
visit CaliforniaAvocado.com,
or join us on Facebook at Facebook.com/CaliforniaAvocados
and @CA_Avocados on Twitter,
Pinterest
and Instagram
for updates.

IRVINE, Calif.--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--June is California Avocado Month and the peak of California avocado season – making it the perfect time to enjoy this delicious fruit! To celebrate, the... more »